The relation between performance and oral health in male athletes

Abstract

Objectives: Oral health is as important to an athlete’s sporting successas regular exercise and adequate nutrition. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between oral health and sporting performance. Methods: This prospective study was carried out with male athletes. Athletes' demographic characteristics, dental care habits, number of decayed, missing or filled teeth, and sporting performance data were recorded. The Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, Significant Caries index (SCI) and Plaque index (PI) were used to assess oral health. The T-Drill, Zig-Zag, Lateral Change of Direction (LCD) and 505 tests to assess agility, and 10-, 20- and 30-m short sprint tests were used to assess speed. The results were analyzed on SPSS software, and p values < 0.05 were regarded as significant. Results: Ninety-six athletes were included in the study. Active caries was determined in 70.8%. The mean DMFT index value was 3.9 ± 3.7, mean SCI 10.2, and mean PI 0.9 ± 0.4. DMFT was ≥ 4 in 45.8% of athletes and < 4 in 57.2%. No difference was determined between subjects with DMFT < 4 and DMFT ≥ 4 in terms of age, height, body weight, or years engaged in sports. Agility and speed tests results were superior in subjects with DMFT<4 than in those with DMFT ≥ 4, and times to completion of performance tests were shorter (p < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that DMFT was positively correlated with agility tests [T-Drill test (r = 0.428), Zig-Zag test (r = 0.428), LCD test (r = 0.286) and 505 test (r = 0.529)], and speed tests [short sprint, 10-m (r = 0.309), 20-m (r = 0.336), 30-m (r = 0.449)] (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Impairment of oral health has an adverse effect on sporting performance, and this can lead to poorer results in performance tests such as agility and speed.